In view of Swachh Survekshan-2022, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) organised a zero waste function and it facilitated organisation of zero waste marriage function in Ashok Nagar’s Tihar Village in West Zone. Since it was published in the media, it has become the talk of Okhla where residents said they should also hold marriages function in eco-friendly way.
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It is a very good move and should be encouraged in Okhla also, said one resident. Noushu said: “It is observed that a lot of wastage is done in marriage which also harms the environment and the only way out is to hold marriage event in eco-friendly way. Okhla residents should be educated and awareness be created in the locality and across the country,” he said.
After Ahmed family solemnised a marriage function in a completely eco-friendly way and ensured Zero-Waste coming out of the venue and all the SOPs for zero-waste wedding function were observed by the organisers at the venue, the SDMC said it congratulated the family for successfully organising a zero-waste event and inspiring others to follow the same.
The civic body also appealed to all the residents to go for zero-waste functions. All the cooperation and support will be provided to the organisers such events, it said.
To make it a zero waste function, the SDMC took all necessary measures like at the entrance, two standees made of Bio-Degradable materials (paper) were installed displaying “This Marriage is completely Zero Waste” with SDMC, Swachh Survekshan-2022 and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) logo. The message of Swachhta was being displayed in the reception area, dining area, and inside the hall. No plastic decoration material was found at the venue. Instead flowers were used to decorate Mandap, entrance, and other areas.
Organisers of the function had deployed persons to check temperature and ensure hand sanitisation of all guests guest and requested them to follow all Covid-19 appropriate behaviours throughout the event. The venue was at ground floor, hence was found divyang-friendly.
Nearly 150 guests who attended the function were enthusiastic about the initiative and found taking selfies with Swachh-Event standees, said the SDMC.
“A 20 litre water dispenser with paper cups was at the venue with ‘save-water message’ pasted on the same. No plastic water bottle, cups, or glasses were used anywhere inside the venue. Paper printed signages with awareness messages were fixed all over the venues.
“Since there were no hazardous or sanitary wastes, two bins of green and blue colours were placed near water dispenser, food stall, and few other places at the venue. Vegetable wastes, boxes and paper cups were collected in different bins and handed over to the concessionaire for safe disposal. glass, steel, bon-China, and paper made cutleries were only used at the venue,” it said.
Organisers ensured that no food was wasted by wisely optimising the quantity served. In the washroom, toilet seats, urinals, and washbasins were found clean and usable at all times, the report said, adding that a dustbin, soap dispenser, towel, and sanitary-pad vending machine were also present. The washroom was well-lit with functional bolting arrangements on all doors. Nearly 250 kg of wet waste, 400 paper cups, and 500 pieces of wooden cutlery were handed over to the concessionaire by the organisers the following morning, i.e., on Saturday.
The Okhla-headquartered NGO Samaj Sudhar Trust, known for its efforts to prevent food wastage at weddings, welcomed the initiative. Its president, Sagir Abbasi, told the OT that he consistently advocates against food wastage at marriage events.
Abbasi said he has been running a campaign encouraging guests not to waste food or litter. “At marriage parties in Okhla and elsewhere, I have observed food being wasted because people are careless while enjoying the delicacies. Within seconds, piles of waste food accumulate nearby and are eventually discarded. If awareness is raised, this food can be saved and served to the poor,” said Abbasi, who has been leading this campaign for the past two years in Okhla and other parts of India.
